Accountability court likely to reserve verdict in remaining corruption references.

ISLAMABAD -- The accountability court hearing Al Azizia and Flagship references against deposed premier Nawaz Sharif is expected to reserve its verdict on Wednesday.

As the final round of court proceedings is scheduled to conclude today, defence counsel Khawaja Haris will present a rebuttal to statements made by the prosecution.

Proceedings in the remaining references continued after members of the Sharif family, Nawaz and daughter Maryam, were released from prison earlier in September.

The Supreme Court (SC) extended the deadline for the eighth time earlier this month. The apex court also instructed the lower court to wrap up proceedings and announce the verdict by December 24.

Throughout the course of the trial, the former premier has defended the accusation of being the real owner and beneficiary of offshore companies, which he claims belong to his sons Hasan and Hussain Nawaz.

Nawaz has maintained that the case against him was initiated on the basis of allegations levelled by his political rivals and the report of a joint investigation team (JIT) in Panama Papers case, which he said was biased.

Sharif distances himself from Al-Azizia Mills

Nawaz further said that the report had declared him as the 'real owner' of Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metal Establishment, but he was not the owner nor was he a 'benamidaar' of both these businesses. He added NAB could not present any evidence, proving that he had established Al-Azizia or Hill Metal.

Court reserves ruling over final arguments in Al-Azizia reference

Nawaz, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Capt (retd) Safdar were released from jail earlier after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended their prison sentences.

The Sharifs had challenged the convictions through appeals and sentences through petitions.

'The instant...